Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor of HIV-1 (human
immunodeficiency virus-1). It is a
white to off-white crystalline powder; insoluble in
water, soluble in lower alcohol (methanol). The chemical designation is
(S)-6-Chloro-4- (cyclopropylethynyl)-1,4-dihydro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-3,1-benzoxazin-2-one.
Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that can
transcribe RNA into DNA to copy genetic information from RNA to DNA, therefore
also called RNA-directed DNA polymerase. Reverse transcriptase inhibitor is an
antiretroviral agent that blocks activity of the reverse transcriptase of a
retrovirus. Every retrovirus has a reverse transcriptase enzyme which
transcribes the genetic information from its RNA into DNA. Protease inhibitors
are the second class of antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV.